E-book reader language mapping system and method

ABSTRACT

A system and method operable for providing contextually triggered vocabulary information on at least one display screen of an E-book reader are disclosed. A character group comprising a target language character group is displayed on the at least one display screen. A local or a remote electronic pre-translated primary language resource is provided in response to a user selecting a word or sentence in the target language character group. The electronic pre-translated primary language electronic resource is searched to obtain a pre-translated primary language character group corresponding to the target language character group. A synchronized pre-translated primary language character group is obtained by synchronizing the pre-translated primary language words or sentences to words or sentences in the target language. The synchronized pre-translated primary language character group is displayed on the at least one display screen.

FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to displaydevices, and more particularly relate to E-book readers.

BACKGROUND

Students who have a native language (primary language), but studying ina second language (target language) may have many challenges such aslearning a context of a book. A significantly time-consuming andpainstaking challenge for such students is to learn a vocabulary that isnot familiar to them. For example, a Korean student who is studying inAmerica may be reading a textbook written in English. Generally, if theKorean student finds an unfamiliar vocabulary word or words, she/he mayneed to open an English-Korean dictionary to find a meaning of theunfamiliar vocabulary word in his/her primary/native language. Afterfinding the meaning, the student may then write down a meaning of theunfamiliar vocabulary word or words on a notepad for later memorization.Similarly, a user such as a student can use translation software tolearn the meaning of the unfamiliar word or words in his/her primarylanguage. However, the translation software may not accurately translateone language to another, and may be time consuming to use.

Therefore, there is a need for systems and methods for reducing aworkload of students studying in a second language.

SUMMARY

A system and method operable to provide contextually triggeredvocabulary information on a display screen of an E-book reader isdisclosed. The method electronically obtains an a priori translatedcharacter group by accessing a pre-translated primary languageelectronic resource such as an E-book pre-translated in a primarylanguage or an E-dictionary comprising a translation from the targetlanguage to the primary language. The E-book and/or the E-dictionary isprovided if a user points to or highlights a character group such as asentence or a word on the display screen of the E-book reader. TheE-book reader provides mapping of a character group in a target languageto a corresponding character group in a primary/native language of theuser. The E-book reader may also provide an audio pronunciation out of apronunciation output port of the E-book reader. The user may synchronizea target language character group such as words or sentences in thetarget language to a pre-translated primary language character groupsuch as words or sentences in the primary/native language from one ormore corresponding E-books. Vocabulary information organization may alsobe provided.

In a first embodiment, a method electronically accesses an a prioritranslated character group using a portable electronic system comprisingat least one display screen. The method displays a character groupcomprising a target language character group on the at least one displayscreen and receives a user selection of the target language charactergroup. The method then accesses a pre-translated primary languageelectronic resource in response to receiving the user selection. Themethod also searches the pre-translated primary language electronicresource to obtain a pre-translated primary language character groupcorresponding to the target language character group, and synchronizesthe pre-translated primary language character group to the targetlanguage character group to obtain a synchronized pre-translated primarylanguage character group. The method then displays the synchronizedpre-translated primary language character group on the at least onedisplay screen.

In a second embodiment, a portable electronic system for languageacquisition comprises at least one display screen operable to display acharacter group comprising a target language character group. Theportable electronic system further comprises activating means toactivate a user selection of the target language character group, and apre-translated primary language electronic resource module accesses apre-translated primary language electronic resource in response toreceiving the user selection. The portable electronic system alsocomprises a searcher module, which searches the pre-translated primarylanguage electronic resource to obtain a pre-translated primary languagecharacter group corresponding to the target language character group. Asynchronization module synchronizes the pre-translated primary languagecharacter group to the target language character group on the at leastone display screen to obtain a synchronized pre-translated primarylanguage character group.

In a third embodiment, a computer-readable medium comprises program codefor accessing an a priori translated character group using a portableelectronic system comprising at least one display screen. The programcode comprises code for displaying a character group comprising a targetlanguage character group on the at least one display screen, receiving auser selection of the target language character group, and accessing apre-translated primary language electronic resource module in responseto receiving the user selection. The program code further comprises codefor searching the pre-translated primary language electronic resource toobtain a pre-translated language character group corresponding to thetarget language character group. The program code also comprises codefor synchronizing the pre-translated primary language character group tothe target language character group to obtain a synchronizedpre-translated primary language character group. The program code alsocomprises code for displaying the synchronized pre-translated languagecharacter group on the at least one display screen.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the detaileddescription. This summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subjectmatter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present disclosure are hereinafter described inconjunction with the following figures, wherein like numerals denotelike elements. The figures are provided for illustration and depictexemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The figures areprovided to facilitate understanding of the present disclosure withoutlimiting the breadth, scope, scale, or applicability of the presentdisclosure. The drawings are not necessarily made to scale.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an E-book reader according to an embodimentof the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a functional block diagram of an E-bookreader system according to an embodiment of disclosure.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of exemplary highlighted vocabulary wordsshown in a bubble according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of an exemplary list comprising vocabularywords previously referred to by a user according to an embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of an exemplary highlighted sentence presentedin a bubble according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of an exemplary list of highlighted sentencesaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a flowchart showing an exemplary processfor electronically accessing an a priori translated character groupusing an E-book reader according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a flowchart showing a synchronizationprocess for synchronizing a target language character group to a primarylanguage character group according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is presented to enable a person of ordinaryskill in the art to make and use the embodiments of the disclosure. Thefollowing detailed description is exemplary in nature and is notintended to limit the disclosure or the application and uses of theembodiments of the disclosure. Descriptions of specific devices,techniques, and applications are provided only as examples.Modifications to the examples described herein will be readily apparentto those of ordinary skill in the art, and the general principlesdefined herein may be applied to other examples and applications withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Furthermore,there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theorypresented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary orthe following detailed description. The present disclosure should beaccorded scope consistent with the claims, and not limited to theexamples described and shown herein.

Embodiments of the disclosure are described herein in the context of onepractical non-limiting application, namely, an E-book reader.Embodiments of the disclosure, however, are not limited to such E-bookreader applications described herein, and the embodiments may also beutilized in other applications. For example, embodiments may beapplicable to cellular phones, ipods, ipads, tablet personal computers,mobile entertainment devices, E-textbooks, and the like.

As would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after readingthis description, these are merely examples and the embodiments of thedisclosure are not limited to operating in accordance with theseexamples. Other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes maybe made without departing from the scope of the exemplary embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an E-book reader 100 according anembodiment of the disclosure. The E-book reader 100 may comprise adisplay screen 102 and/or a display screen 120, a key pad 104, aplurality of control keys 108-114, and an antenna 134.

The display screen 102/120 may use a technology such as, for example butwithout limitation, a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organicelectro-luminescence (OEL), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), anorganic electro luminescent device (OELD), an electronic ink, and thelike. Various kinds of information can be displayed on the displayscreen 102/120 via an image/video signal supplied from a processormodule 208 (FIG. 2). For example, a pre-translated primary languagecharacter group may be displayed on the display screen 102/120 asexplained below. In this document, the primary language refers to theuser's native language and any other language that the user may befamiliar with or uses for language acquisition via language mapping.

The key pad 104 comprises a plurality of keys 106, such as but withoutlimitation, a power key, numeric keys, character keys, arrow keys,direction keys, a determination key, a transmission key, and the like.Various functions can be allocated to the keys 106.

The E-book reader 100 may be controlled and/or manipulated via, forexample but without limitation, a touch function (not shown) on thedisplay screen 102/120, the keys 106 on the key pad 104, the controlkeys 108-114, a tip 132 of a stylus 130, and the like.

The E-book reader 100 may wirelessly communicate with a base station(not shown) or an access point transceiver (not shown) via a wirelessdata communication link 118. As explained below, the E-book reader 100may wirelessly communicate through a suitably configured RF antennaarrangement such as the antenna 134. The antenna 134 can support awireless communication protocol and modulation scheme, such as butwithout limitation, Wi-Fi, cellular, and the like. The E-book reader 100may also communicate with the Internet via an access port 116 coupled toa local area network (not shown) such as an Ethernet.

The antenna 134 may be, for example but without limitation, a built-inantenna, a rod antenna, and the like. The antenna 134 is configured totransmit and receive electromagnetic waves such as, for example butwithout limitation, a predetermined frequency band to and from the basestation respectively.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a functional block diagram of an E-bookreader system 200 (E-book reader 200) according to an embodiment ofdisclosure. The E-book reader 200 may comprise, for example but withoutlimitation, a pre-translated primary language electronic resource module202, a synchronization module 204, a searcher module 206, a processormodule 208, a wireless communication module 210, an Ethernet/USBcommunication module 212, a voice synthesizer module 214, and a memorymodule 216 comprising a list/database 218. Modules202/204/206/208/210/212/214/216 may communicate via a communication link220.

The pre-translated primary language electronic resource module 202provides access to a pre-translated primary language electronic resourcecomprising the pre-translated primary language character group. Thepre-translated primary language electronic resource may comprise, forexample but without limitation, a locally stored dictionary module(E-dictionary) comprising translation from the target language to theprimary language, a remotely accessible E-dictionary, a locally storedpre-translated version of a particular E-book translated from the targetlanguage to the primary language (pre-translated primary languageE-book), a remotely accessible pre-translated primary language E-book,an interactive on-line Internet cloud-computing translation service, andthe like. The E-dictionary may comprise, for example but withoutlimitation, a collection of words in one or more specific languages,with usage information, definitions, etymologies, phonetics,pronunciations, syllabications, meanings, synonyms, and the like. TheE-dictionary may further comprise a lexicon of words in one languagewith equivalents of the lexicon of words in another language. Thepre-translated primary language E-book may comprise a collection ofwords and sentences in one or more specific languages arranged invarious chapters, sections, etc. The E-dictionary and the pre-translatedprimary language E-book can be stored in the memory module 216 to beaccessed by the pre-translated primary language electronic resourcemodule 202 on-demand by the user. However, if a particular vocabulary isnot available in the E-dictionary on the memory module 216, the E-bookreader 100/200 can resort to accessing an interactive on-line Internetdictionary service via, for example, the wireless communication module210 and/or the Ethernet/USB communication module 212. Similarly, theE-Book reader 100/200 can access a predefined interactive on-lineInternet translation service, if the pre-translated primary languageE-book is not available or the pre-translated primary language E-book isnot stored on the memory module 216.

The synchronization module 204 is operable to synchronize at least onecharacter group in a primary language of the user with the at least onepre-translated group in the target language as explained in more detailin the context of discussion of FIGS. 5 and 8 below. The synchronizationmodule 204 may perform a function to coordinate events to operatetranslation functions such as the voice synthesizer module 214substantially coordinated with a text view on the display screen 102. Insome embodiments, relative alignment between viewed text in the primarylanguage and viewed text in the target language is coordinatedautomatically by the synchronization module 204 or manually as describedbelow.

The searcher module 206 is operable to electronically search thepre-translated primary language electronic resource to obtain apre-translated primary language character group corresponding to thetarget language character group. For example, the searcher module 206estimates a location of a corresponding sentence in the pre-translatedprimary language E-book comprising the pre-translated primary languagecharacter group. The estimate may be based on a location of ahighlighted sentence in the target language E-book comprising the targetlanguage character group as explained in more detail below in thecontext of discussion of FIGS. 5 and 8.

The processor module 208 may provide transmission/reception of signalsat the wireless communication module 210. The processor module 208 cancontrol overall operation of the E-book reader 200. For example, theprocessor module 208 may control operations of the E-book reader 200 sothat processes of the E-book reader 200 are suitably performed.Processes of the E-book reader 200 may be suitably performed such thatvarious processes are performed by proper procedures in response to aninput from a user. These processes may comprise, for example but withoutlimitation, highlighting/selecting a sentence, character input by themanipulation of the keys 106 on the key board 104 and the like. Theprocessor module 208 may also control a communication of the wirelesscommunication module 210, and access to the memory module 216 foraccessing the target language E-book. The processor module 208 may alsocontrol access to the memory module 216 and/or the pre-translatedprimary language electronic resource module 202 to access thepre-translated primary language E-book and/or the E-dictionary. Further,the processor module 208 may control access to language mapping resultsstored in the list 218, display of the pre-translated primary languagecharacter group and the target language character group on the displayscreen 102/120 (FIG. 1), voice processing of the voice synthesizermodule 214, and the like. For example, the processor module 208 maycontrol the wireless communication module 210 to receive thepre-translated primary language E-book from an on-line source such asthe Internet. For another example, the processor module 208 may controlthe display screen 102/120 to display sentences in the target languageand in the primary language when synchronizing same via thesynchronization module 204.

The processor module 208 may comprise a computer (microprocessor) oranother processor for performing a process based on a program (operatingsystem, application program, etc.) stored in the memory module 216. Theprocessor module 208 may read instruction code sequentially fromprograms such as the operating system and the application program whichare stored in the memory module 216, and perform the programs. Forexample, the voice synthesizer module 214 in the processor module 208may be realized on the computer by one or a plurality of programs, ormay be at least partially realized by hardware.

The wireless communication module 210 is operable to transmit andreceive a plurality of communication signals comprising data signals viaa transceiver (not shown). The wireless communication module 210operates with the antenna 134 to carry out a radio communication with anetwork side device via a base station communicatively coupled to awireless communication network (not shown). The transceiver communicateswith a base station transceiver via the wireless data communication link118 as explained above. The transceiver cooperates with the base stationtransceiver with a suitably configured RF antenna arrangement such asthe antenna 134 that can support a particular wireless communicationprotocol and modulation scheme as explained above. The data signals maycomprise, for example but without limitation, text data, and web dataduring accessing a web site. Data obtained from the data signals may bedisplayed on the display screen 102/120 for displaying for example, thepre-translated primary language character group, the target languagecharacter group, and the like.

The wireless communication module 210 can transmit a signal from theprocessor module 208 as a transmitted radio signal to the base stationthrough the antenna 134, and can demodulate a received radio signalreceived from the base station through the antenna 134. The processormodule 208 receives the demodulated signal form the wirelesscommunication module 210.

The Ethernet/USB communication module 212 is operable to providecommunication between the E-book reader 200 and the pre-translatedprimary language electronic resource via Ethernet. The Ethernet/USBcommunication module 212 communicates with the Internet through theaccess port 116 to download E-books, E-dictionaries, and to interactwith Web-based dictionary services and on line translation services.

The voice synthesizer module 214 artificially produces human speech, andmay be implemented in software or hardware. A text-to-speech (TTS)system may be used to convert normal language text into speech, and aphonetics system may be used to render symbolic linguisticrepresentations like phonetic transcriptions into speech. Synthesizedspeech can be created, for example but without limitation, byconcatenating pieces of recorded speech that are stored in a database. Asize of the stored speech units of the voice synthesizer module 214 mayvary. For example, a system that stores phones (i.e., in phonetics, aphone may be a speech sound or gesture considered a physical eventwithout regard to its place in the phonology of a language) or diphones(i.e., in phonetics, a diphone may be an adjacent pair of phones)provides the largest output range, but may lack clarity. For specificusage domains, the storage of entire words or sentences can providehigh-quality output. Alternatively, the voice synthesizer module 214 mayincorporate a model of the vocal tract and other human voicecharacteristics to create a completely “synthetic” voice output. Thevoice synthesizer module 214 can provide an audio pronunciation of, forexample but without limitation, the pre-translated primary languagecharacter group (i.e., sentences, words), the target language charactergroup, and the like, out of the pronunciation output port (not shown) ofthe E-book reader 100/200.

The memory module 216 comprises the database/list 218. The memory module216 is operable to store various kinds of data (such as but withoutlimitation language acquisition data) used for various processes of theE-book reader 100/200. In practical embodiments, the memory module 216may comprise, for example but without limitation, a non-volatile storagedevice (non-volatile semiconductor memory, hard disk device, opticaldisk device, and the like), a random access storage device (for example,SRAM, DRAM), or any other form of storage medium known in the art. Forexample, the memory module 216 may store, the pre-translated primarylanguage character group, the pre-translated primary language E-book,the target language character group, the target language E-book, variouswords and sentences in the list 218 for on-demand retrieval by the user,a computer program which is executed by the processor module 208, anoperating system, an application program, output result of the processormodule 208, tentative data used in executing a program processing, andthe like. The memory module 216 may be coupled to the processor module208 such that the processor module 208 can read information from andwrite information to the memory module 216. As an example, the processormodule 208 and the memory module 216 may reside in their respectiveASICs. The memory module 216 may also be integrated into the processormodule 208. In an embodiment, the memory module 216 may comprise a cachememory for storing temporary variables or other intermediate informationduring execution of instructions to be executed by the processor module208. The memory module 216 may use the non-volatile storage device forstoring instructions to be executed by the processor module 208.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of an exemplary highlighted target languagecharacter group such as vocabulary words 302 showing a bubble 304according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The E-book reader 100/200displays the pre-translated primary language character group in thebubble 304 presented on the display screen 102/120, in response to aselection by a user. For example, the user may indicate or select thevocabulary words 302 from text 306 on the display screen 102/120. Theuser may indicate or select the vocabulary words 302 by, for example butwithout limitation, pointing to the vocabulary words 302 on the displayscreen 102/120 with an on screen pointer, touching the display screen102/120 to point to the vocabulary words 302, highlighting thevocabulary words 302 on the display screen 102/120, and the like. Thehighlighting may be done by touching a character of the interest such asthe vocabulary words 302 with the tip 132 of the stylus 130 (FIG. 1). Asmentioned above, the searcher module 206 obtains the pre-translatedprimary language character group corresponding to the vocabulary words302 in response to the selection by the user, by accessing thepre-translated primary language electronic resource. For example, asshown in the FIG. 3, the vocabulary words 302 may comprise an Englishword “unfathomable” 302 indicated by a highlight 308. The bubble 304appears on the display screen 102/120 in response to the highlight 308indicating the English word “unfathomable” 302 in this example. Contents310 of the bubble 304 may comprise, for example but without limitation,a phonetic pronunciation: “

n

m

b

l” 312, the pre-translated primary language character group such as aKorean translation “

” 314, an example of a usage “e.g., He is unfathomable . . . ” 316, thevocabulary the English word “unfathomable” 302, and the like. The E-bookreader 100/200 may also provide an audio pronunciation, using the voicesynthesizer module 214 of the E-book reader 100/200, in response to theuser highlighting the phonetic pronunciation “

n

m

o

l” 312. The E-book reader 100/200 may store and organize the languagemapping results such as the contents 310 of the bubble 304 mentionedabove in the list 218 in the memory module 216 for subsequent usage bythe user as explained in more detail below.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of an exemplary list 400 (list 218 in FIG. 2)comprising a target language character group such as the vocabularywords 302 previously referred to by the user according to an embodimentof the disclosure. If the user wants to review the vocabulary words 302previously referred to by him/her while reading a particular E-book, theE-book reader 100/200 provides the list 400 of, for example but withoutlimitation, the vocabulary words 302, the Korean translation “

” 314, the example of the usage “e.g., He is unfathomable . . . ” 316,and the like, that are organized in section 1 of the list 400 and storedin the memory module 216. Similarly, other vocabulary information 402can be organized in section 2 of the list 400 and stored in the memorymodule 216. The list 400 may be organized according to a userpreference, such as but without limitation, by a chapter 404, by a page406, and the like. In this manner, the user can use the list 400 to, forexample but without limitation, memorize the vocabulary words 302without opening up a paper printed dictionary and taking notes, and thelike. The list 400 of the vocabulary words 302 may be printed out to aprinter through a printer output port (not shown), such as but withoutlimitation, a USB output port, a wireless communication interface, andthe like. The vocabulary words 302 may be displayed, for example butwithout limitation, on the display screen 102 or the display screen 120.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of an exemplary highlighted target languagecharacter group, such as a target language sentence 516 highlighted by ahighlight 502 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The targetlanguage sentence 516 may be synchronized to a pre-translated primarylanguage character group such as a pre-translated primary languagesentence 514 presented in a bubble 504. As mentioned above,understanding and learning vocabulary words and contexts in the targetlanguage (second language) that are not familiar to a user, such as aforeign student or a foreign national, can be a time-consuming processand can annoy the user by breaking a rhythm of a reading process.Furthermore, there are many books that are translated to many differentlanguages. The user may want to read a particular E-book in one languagesuch as a target language, and from time-to-time refer to a translationof the particular E-book in his/her primary language to clarify acontext. For example, as mentioned above, both the primary languageversion (pre-translated primary language E-book) and the target languageversion (target language E-book) of the E-books can be stored in thememory module 216 of the E-book reader 100/200. Then the user canhighlight the target language sentence 516 in the target language E-bookto access the pre-translated primary language sentence 514 in thepre-translated primary language E-book presented in the bubble 504. Thebubble 504 may be presented for example, above the highlight 502. Theuser can save the pre-translated primary language sentence 514 in thelist 218 for later retrieval to improve his/her language skills.

If the user activates/tabs to an unfamiliar sentence that is not wellunderstood by her/him, the E-book reader 100/200 accesses thepre-translated primary language sentence 514 by accessing thepre-translated primary language electronic resource as mentioned abovein the context of discussion of FIG. 2. For example, if the E-book hadalready been translated to the user's primary language, then the primarylanguage E-book can be downloaded to the memory module 216 and thepre-translated primary language electronic resource module 202 canretrieve the pre-translated primary language sentence 514 from thememory module 216. If the user highlights the target language sentence516 shown in the highlight 502, in response the searcher module 206electronically searches the pre-translated primary language electronicresource module 202 to obtain the primary language sentence 514. In thismanner, the searcher module 206 estimates a location of thepre-translated primary language sentence 514 based on, for example butwithout limitation, a calculation of a chapter location, sectionlocation, position of the particular highlighted sentence and/orprevious synchronization position, and the like. However, a one-to-onemapping of the pre-translated primary language E-book and the targetlanguage E-book may not be available in the pre-translated primarylanguage electronic resource accessible by the pre-translated primarylanguage electronic resource module 202. For example, in somepre-translated primary language E-books, a sentence or a chapter can beadded or subtracted. The user can control movement of the pre-translatedprimary language sentence 514 in the pre-translated primary languageE-book using a scroll up synchronization button 506 and a scroll downsynchronization button 508. If the pre-translated primary languagesentence 514 is synchronized to the target language sentence 516, then aconfirm button 510 can be activated for storing the pre-translatedprimary language sentence 514 and/or to the target language sentence 516in the list/data base 218 for further use. The user can press oractivate an “OK” button 512 to erase the pre-translated primary languagesentence 514 from the display screen 102/120 and may move on to read anext sentence in the text 306 of, for example but without limitation,the pre-translated primary language E-book. For example but withoutlimitation, the target language sentence 516 highlighted by thehighlight 502 may comprise “Do you agree that we in the United Statesare the best practitioners of entrepreneurship, and that we're way aheadof the other countries?”, and the bubble 504 may comprise a primaryKorean translation “

?”. In this manner, while reading, the user can interactively andconveniently access the pre-translated primary language E-book alreadydownloaded to the memory module 216. The pre-translated primary languagesentence 514 can be displayed on the same display screen 102/120 in thebubble 504 or can be displayed on the display screen 120.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of an exemplary list 600 (218 in FIG. 2, 400in FIG. 4) of the highlighted sentences 602/604 according to anembodiment of the disclosure. During or after reading, the user canoutput the list 600 on the display screen 102/120 or to a printed paperfor, for example but without limitation, memorization, and the like. Thelist 600 may comprise, for example but without limitation, thehighlighted sentences 602/604, paragraphs, numbers, symbols, ideograms,logograms, and the like. The list 600 may also comprise a location ofthe highlighted sentences 602/604 in a corresponding E-book, such as butwithout limitation, a chapter number 608, a section number 610, a pagenumber 612, and the like.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a flowchart showing an exemplary process700 for electronically accessing an a priori translated character groupusing the E-book reader 100/200 according to an embodiment of thedisclosure. The various tasks performed in connection with process 700may be performed by software, hardware, firmware, a computer-readablemedium having computer executable instructions for performing theprocess method, or any combination thereof. The process 700 may berecorded in a computer-readable medium such as a semiconductor memory, amagnetic disk, an optical disk, and the like, and can be accessed andexecuted, for example, by a computer CPU in which the computer-readablemedium is stored. It should be appreciated that process 700 may includeany number of additional or alternative tasks, the tasks shown in FIG. 7need not be performed in the illustrated order, and process 700 may beincorporated into a more comprehensive procedure or process havingadditional functionality not described in detail herein. Forillustrative purposes, the following description of process 700 mayrefer to elements mentioned above in connection with FIGS. 1-2. Inpractical embodiments, portions of process 700 may be performed bydifferent elements of the E-book reader 100/200 for language acquisitionvia mapping form one language to another, e.g., the display screen102/120 or multiple display screens, the pre-translated primary languageelectronic resource module 202, the synchronization module 204, theprocessor module 208, the wireless communication module 210, the voicesynthesizer module 214, the memory module 216, the Ethernet/USBcommunication module 212, and the like. Process 700 may have functions,material, and structures that are similar to the embodiments shown inFIGS. 1-6. Therefore common features, functions, and elements may not beredundantly described here.

Process 700 may begin by displaying a character group comprising atarget language character group on the display screen 102/120 (task702).

Process 700 may continue by receiving a user selection of the targetlanguage character group (task 704).

Process 700 may continue by accessing a pre-translated primary languageelectronic resource via the pre-translated primary language electronicresource module 202, in response to receiving the user selection (task706).

Process 700 may continue by searching the pre-translated primarylanguage electronic resource using the searcher module 206 to obtain apre-translated primary language character group corresponding to thetarget language character group (task 708).

Process 700 may continue by synchronizing the pre-translated primarylanguage character group to the target language character group usingthe synchronization module 204 to obtain a synchronized pre-translatedprimary language character group (task 710).

Process 700 may continue by displaying the synchronized pre-translatedprimary language character group on the display screen 102/120 (task712).

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a flowchart showing a synchronizationprocess for synchronizing a target language character group with anative language character group according to an embodiment of thedisclosure. The various tasks performed in connection with processes 800may be performed by software, hardware, firmware, a computer-readablemedium having computer executable instructions for performing theprocess method, or any combination thereof. The process 800 may berecorded in a computer-readable medium such as a semiconductor memory, amagnetic disk, an optical disk, and the like, and can be accessed andexecuted, for example, by a computer CPU in which the computer-readablemedium is stored. It should be appreciated that process 800 may includeany number of additional or alternative tasks, the tasks shown in FIG. 8need not be performed in the illustrated order, and process 800 may beincorporated into a more comprehensive procedure or process havingadditional functionality not described in detail herein. Forillustrative purposes, the following description of process 800 mayrefer to elements mentioned above in connection with FIGS. 1-6. Inpractical embodiments, portions of process 800 may be performed bydifferent elements of the E-book reader 100/200 for mapping form onelanguage to another, e.g., the display screen 102 and/or 120, thepre-translated primary language electronic resource module 202, thesynchronization module 204, the voice synthesizer module 214, theprocessor module 208, the wireless communication module 210, the memorymodule 216, the Ethernet/USB communication module 212, and the like.Process 800 may have functions, material, and structures that aresimilar to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-7. Therefore commonfeatures, functions, and elements may not be redundantly described here.

The process 800 may begin by a user selecting (e.g., but withoutlimitation, by highlighting) a target language character group such as atarget language sentence 516 (FIG. 5) in the target language for mappingto the pre-translated primary language character group such thepre-translated primary language sentence 514 (FIG. 5) (task 802). Inthis manner, process 800 accesses to the pre-translated primary languageelectronic resource module 202 to obtain a pre-translated primarylanguage resource such as the pre-translated primary language E-book,and the like, as explained above.

The process 800 may then continue by the searcher module 206 estimatinga location of the pre-translated primary language character group suchas the pre-translated primary language sentence 514 in thepre-translated primary language E-book (task 804). The searcher module206 estimates the location based on a location of the target languagesentence 516 (highlighted sentence 516) in the target language E-book.In this manner, the searcher module 206 estimates a location of acorresponding pre-translated primary language sentence 514 usingparameters, such as but without limitation, the chapter number 608, asection number 610, a number of starting sentences prior to highlightinga particular sentence (not shown), a previously highlighted sentencesynchronization position (not shown), and the like. For example, if boththe target language E-book and the primary language E-book aresubdivided ‘chapter by chapter’, then the searcher module 206 firstidentifies a chapter where the target language sentence 516 is locatedat and counts a number of starting sentences from a beginning of thechapter to a location of the highlighted sentence. The pre-translatedprimary language sentence 514 may be displayed followed by the samenumber of the starting sentences 516. For another example, if a numberof sentences in a chapter of the target language E-book is X (e.g., 50),a number of sentences in a chapter of the pre-translated primarylanguage E-book is Y (e.g., 55), and a target language sentence to bemapped to a pre-translated primary language sentence is a Zth (e.g.,25^(th)) sentence, then a sentence in a primary language E-book may be aQ=Y*Z/X (e.g., the 27^(th)) sentence. In this manner, a substantiallybest estimated pre-translated primary language character group can bedisplayed on the display screen 102/120 encapsulated by the bubble 504.

The process 800 may then continue by displaying the pre-translatedprimary language sentence 514 presented on the bubble 504 (task 806) sothat the user can visually determine a relative location of thepre-translated primary language sentence 514. However as explainedabove, the one-to-one mapping of the pre-translated primary languageE-book and the target language E-book may not be available in thepre-translated primary language electronic resource. Therefore, thepre-translated primary language sentence 514 may lag or lead relative tothe target language sentence 516. In this manner, the process 800 maythen continue by the user determining whether the pre-translated primarylanguage sentence 514 is ahead of the target language sentence 516, lagsthe target language sentence 516, or is correctly synchronized with thetarget language sentence 516 (inquiry task 808). Activating the scrollup 506 and/or scroll down 508 synchronization buttons as needed, theuser can move a location of the pre-translated primary language sentence514 in relation to the location of the target language sentence 516. Thelocation of the pre-translated primary language sentence 514 in relationto the location of the target language sentence 516 may be lined-up tobe synchronized. For example, if the pre-translated primary languagesentence 514 is ahead of the target language sentence 516, the user canactivate the scroll up synchronization button 506. In this manner, thesynchronization module 204 receives an up button activation untilsynchronization is achieved (task 810). Similarly, if the pre-translatedprimary language sentence 514 lags the target language sentence 516, theuser can activate the scroll down synchronization button 508. In thismanner, the synchronization module 204 receives a down button activationuntil synchronization is achieved (task 812).

After finding a desired pre-translated primary language sentence, theuser can choose to store the pre-translated primary language sentencefor further reference or to erase the bubble 504 from the display screen102/120 (inquiry task 814). The user can activate the confirm button 510to store the pre-translated primary language sentence 514 and/or thetarget language sentence 516 (task 816) in the list 128/400/600,otherwise the user can activate the “OK” button 512 to erase thepre-translated primary language sentence 514 and/or the target languagesentence 516 (task 818).

In this way, a system and a method are provided for reducing theworkload of students studying in the target language.

In this document, the terms “computer program product”,“computer-readable medium”, and the like may be used generally to referto media such as, for example, memory, storage devices, or storage unit.These and other forms of computer-readable media may be involved instoring one or more instructions for use by the processor module 208 tocause the E-book reader 100/200 to perform specified operations. Suchinstructions, generally referred to as “computer program code” or“program code” (which may be grouped in the form of computer programs orother groupings), when executed, enable the language mapping method ofthe E-book reader 100/200.

While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in theforegoing detailed description, the disclosure is not limited to theabove-described embodiment or embodiments. Variations may be apparent tothose skilled in the art. In carrying out the disclosure, variousmodifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occurin regard to the elements of the above-described embodiment insofar asthey are within the technical scope of the disclosure or the equivalentsthereof. The exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are examples,and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configurationof the disclosure in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed descriptionwill provide those skilled in the art with a template for implementingthe exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments. It should beunderstood that various changes can be made in the function andarrangement of elements without departing from the scope of thedisclosure as set forth in the appended claims and the legal equivalentsthereof. Furthermore, although embodiments of the disclosure have beendescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be notedthat changes and modifications may be apparent to those skilled in theart. Such changes and modifications are to be understood as beingcomprised within the scope of the disclosure as defined by the claims.

The above description refers to elements or nodes or features being“connected” or “coupled” together. As used herein, unless expresslystated otherwise, “connected” means that one element/node/feature isdirectly joined to (or directly communicates with) anotherelement/node/feature, and not necessarily mechanically. Likewise, unlessexpressly stated otherwise, “coupled” means that oneelement/node/feature is directly or indirectly joined to (or directly orindirectly communicates with) another element/node/feature, and notnecessarily mechanically. Thus, although FIGS. 1-2 depict examplearrangements of elements, additional intervening elements, devices,features, or components may be present in an embodiment of thedisclosure.

Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations hereof, unlessotherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposedto limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term “including” shouldbe read as mean “including, without limitation” or the like; the term“example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item indiscussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; and adjectivessuch as “conventional,” “traditional,” “normal,” “standard,” “known” andterms of similar meaning should not be construed as limiting the itemdescribed to a given time period or to an item available as of a giventime, but instead should be read to encompass conventional, traditional,normal, or standard technologies that may be available or known now orat any time in the future. Likewise, a group of items linked with theconjunction “and” should not be read as requiring that each and everyone of those items in the grouping be present, but rather should be readas “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a group ofitems linked with the conjunction “or” should not be read as requiringmutual exclusivity among that group, but rather should also be read as“and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Furthermore, although items,elements or components of the disclosure may be described or claimed inthe singular, the plural is contemplated to be within the scope thereofunless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated. The presence ofbroadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “at least,” “but notlimited to” or other like phrases in some instances shall not be read tomean that the narrower case is intended or required in instances wheresuch broadening phrases may be absent. The term “about” when referringto a numerical value or range is intended to encompass values resultingfrom experimental error that can occur when taking measurements.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for electronically accessing an apriori translated character group using a portable electronic systemcomprising at least one display screen, the method comprising:displaying a target language character group from a target languageE-book comprising a target language on a first region of the at leastone display screen; receiving a user selection by a user of the targetlanguage character group comprising a user selected location in thetarget language E-book to provide a user selected target language;accessing a pre-translated primary language electronic resource inresponse to receiving the user selection to allocate a pre-translatedprimary language E-book comprising a pre-translated version of thetarget language E-book in a primary language to provide a pre-translatedprimary language character group; estimating an estimated location ofthe pre-translated primary language character group in thepre-translated primary language E-book based on calculation of at leastone parameter corresponding to the user selected location of the targetlanguage character group in the target language E-book; instantlymapping the user selected target language in its entirety to thepre-translated primary language character group; displaying only oneinstance of the pre-translated primary language character groupcomprising only the primary language in a second region of the at leastone display screen separate from the target language in the first regionand in proximity to the user selected target language in response to theuser selection, the first region and the second region bounded withinthe at least one display screen; receiving a visual control by the userof movement of the pre-translated primary language character group inthe second region by receiving activation of the at least one displayscreen based entirely on an input from the user; receiving from the usera relative alignment coordination control of the pre-translated primarylanguage character group to the target language character group based onthe estimated location and the user selected location; synchronizinginteractively by the user on the at least one display screen thepre-translated primary language character group in the second region tothe target language character group in the first region to obtain asynchronized pre-translated primary language character group; anddisplaying the synchronized pre-translated primary language charactergroup and the target language character group simultaneously on theirrespective separate regions of the at least one display screen only atone display location at or near the user selected location of the targetlanguage E-book in response to a user interaction.
 2. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the step of interactively synchronizingfurther comprises: activating at least one synchronization button on theat least one display screen, wherein activating the at least onesynchronization button moves the one display location of thepre-translated primary language character group only in relation and inproximity to the user selected location of the target language charactergroup by the user interactively scrolling the at least one displayscreen; and activating a confirm button, if the location of thepre-translated primary language character group is synchronized to thelocation of the target language character group.
 3. The method accordingto claim 1, further comprising displaying the pre-translated primarylanguage character group in a bubble presented on the at least onedisplay screen, wherein the bubble further comprises at least one of thegroup consisting of: a phonetic pronunciation, and an example of usageof the pre-translated primary language character group.
 4. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein activation of an OK button erases thepre-translated primary language group from the at least one displayscreen.
 5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising storingdata in a database organized according to a user preference.
 6. Themethod according to claim 5, wherein the data comprises at least one ofthe group consisting of: the pre-translated primary language charactergroup, an example of a usage of the pre-translated primary languagecharacter group, a phonetic pronunciation, and the target languagecharacter group.
 7. The method according to claim 1, further comprisingsearching the pre-translated primary language E-book to map thepre-translated primary language character group from the pre-translatedprimary language E-book corresponding to the user selection of thetarget language character group in the target language E-book byestimating the estimated location, wherein the at least one parametercomprises: a chapter location, a section location, a position of ahighlighted sentence, a number of starting sentences prior tohighlighting a sentence, a previous synchronization position, a pagenumber, or a combination thereof.
 8. The method according to claim 1,wherein the user selection comprises activating the target languagecharacter group on the at least one display screen via at least one ofthe group consisting of: a touching, a pointing to, and a highlightingthe at least one display screen.
 9. The method according to claim 1,wherein the pre-translated primary language electronic resourcecomprises one of the group consisting of: a locally stored dictionarymodule, a remotely accessible dictionary module, a locally storedelectronically translated book in the primary language, a remotelyaccessible electronically translated book in the primary language, andan on-line internet translation service.
 10. A portable electronicsystem for language acquisition, the system comprising: at least onedisplay screen operable to display on a first region of the at least onedisplay screen a target language character group from a target languageE-book comprising a target language; activating means operable toactivate a user selection of the target language character groupcomprising a user selected location in the target language E-book bookto provide a user selected target language; a pre-translated primarylanguage electronic resource module operable to access a pre-translatedprimary language electronic resource in response to receiving the userselection to allocate a pre-translated primary language E-bookcomprising a pre-translated version of the target language E-book in aprimary language to provide a pre-translated primary language charactergroup; a searcher module operable to: estimate an estimated location ofthe pre-translated primary language character group in thepre-translated primary language E-book based on calculation of at leastone parameter corresponding to the user selected location of the targetlanguage character group in the target language E-book; and instantlymap the user selected target language in its entirety to thepre-translated primary language character group; a synchronizationmodule operable to: receive a visual control by the user of movement ofthe pre-translated primary language character group in a second regionof the at least one display screen by receiving activation of the atleast one display screen based entirely on an input from the user;receive from the user a relative alignment coordination control of thepre-translated primary language character group to the target languagecharacter group based on the estimated location and the user selectedlocation; and synchronize interactively by the user on the at least onedisplay screen the pre-translated primary language character group inthe second region to the target language character group in the firstregion on the at least one display screen to obtain a synchronizedpre-translated primary language character group; and the at least onedisplay screen further operable to: display only one instant of thepre-translated primary language character group comprising only theprimary language in the second region of the at least one display screenseparate from the target language in the first region and in proximityof the user selected target language in response to the user selection,the first region and the second region bounded within the at least onedisplay screen; and simultaneously display on their respective separateregions of the at least one display screen the synchronizedpre-translated primary language character group and the target languagecharacter group only at one display location near the user selectedlocation of the target language E-book in response to a userinteraction.
 11. The system according to claim 10, wherein activation ofan OK button erases the pre-translated primary language group from theat least one display screen.
 12. The system according to claim 10,further comprising: at least one synchronization button operable to movethe one display location of the pre-translated primary languagecharacter group only in relation and in proximity to the user selectedlocation of the target language character group, upon interactiveactivation by the user; and a confirm button operable to confirmsynchronization, if the location of the pre-translated primary languagecharacter group is synchronized to the location of the target languagecharacter group.
 13. The system according to claim 10, wherein thepre-translated primary language character group is displayed on a bubblepresented on the at least one display screen.
 14. The system accordingto claim 10, further comprising a memory module operable to store a listaccording to a preference of the user, wherein the list comprises atleast one of the group consisting of: the pre-translated primarylanguage character group, the target language character group, anexample of a usage of the pre-translated primary language charactergroup, and a phonetic pronunciation.
 15. The system according to claim10, wherein the search module is further operable to search thepre-translated primary language E-book to map the pre-translated primarylanguage character group from the pre-translated primary language E-bookcorresponding to the user selection of the target language charactergroup in the target language E-book by estimating the estimatedlocation, wherein the at least one parameter comprises: a chapterlocation, a section location, a position of a highlighted sentence, anumber of starting sentences prior to highlighting a sentence, aprevious synchronization position, a page number, or a combinationthereof.
 16. The system according to claim 10, wherein the activatingmeans comprises one of the group consisting of: a touching, a pointingto, and a highlighting of the at least one display screen.
 17. Thesystem according to claim 10, wherein the character group comprises atleast one of the group consisting of: at least a vocabulary word, atleast a number, at least a symbol, at least an ideogram, and at least alogogram.
 18. The system according to claim 10, wherein thepre-translated primary language electronic resource comprises one of thegroup consisting of: a locally stored dictionary module, a remotelyaccessible dictionary module, a locally stored electronically translatedbook in the target language, a remotely accessible electronicallytranslated book in the target language, and an interactive on-lineinternet translation service.
 19. The system according to claim 10,wherein the portable electronic system is an E-book reader.
 20. Anon-transitory computer-readable medium comprising program code foraccessing an a priori translated character group using a portableelectronic system comprising at least one display screen, the programcode for: displaying a target language character group from a targetlanguage electronic resource comprising a target language on a firstregion of the at least one display screen; receiving a user selection bya user of the target language character group comprising a user selectedlocation in the target language electronic resource to provide a userselected target language; accessing a pre-translated primary languageelectronic resource in response to receiving the user selection toallocate a pre-translated primary language E-book comprising apre-translated version of the target language electronic resource in aprimary language to provide a pre-translated primary language charactergroup; estimating an estimated location of the pre-translated primarylanguage character group in the pre-translated primary languageelectronic resource based on calculation of at least one parametercorresponding to the user selected location of the target languagecharacter group in the target language electronic resource; instantlymapping the user selected target language in its entirety to thepre-translated primary language character group; displaying only oneinstant of the pre-translated primary language character groupcomprising only the primary language in a second region of the at leastone display screen separate from the target language in the first regionand in proximity of the user selected target language in response to theuser selection, the first region and the second region bounded withinthe at least one display screen; receiving a visual control by the userof movement of the pre-translated primary language character group inthe second region by receiving activation of the at least one displayscreen based entirely on an input from the user; receiving from the usera relative alignment coordination control of the pre-translated primarylanguage character group to the target language character group based onthe estimated location and the user selected location; synchronizinginteractively by the user on the at least one display screen thepre-translated primary language character group in the second region tothe target language character group in the first region to obtain asynchronized pre-translated primary language character group; anddisplaying the synchronized pre-translated primary language charactergroup and the target language character group simultaneously on theirrespective separate regions on the at least one display screen only atone location at or near the user selected location of the targetlanguage electronic resource in response to a user interaction.